Click to play videoNew Delhi: Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has “promised” that he will not speak about the Commonwealth Games. But not for long.
Aiyar may have been asked to hold his tongue after there was an uproar over his statement that he will be happy if the Games, which will be held in Delhi from October 3 to 14, were “unsuccessful”. On Thursday, he issued a clarification.
“I have promised on TV to the viewers of India that I will not comment on the Commonwealth Games but after October 15 I shall open my mouth,” he said.
Aiyar, a former sports minister, on Tuesday said he would be "happy" if the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi are “spoilt”. "Personally, I will be unhappy if the Commonwealth Games are successful," said Aiyar, a nominated Rajya Sabha member.
"I am very happy with the rains, firstly because it will ensure a good agriculture for the country and secondly because it will ensure that the Commonwealth Games are spoilt," Aiyar said.
"If the Commonwealth Games are successful, they will further organise Asian Games and other events... I will be happy if the Games are spoilt," he said.
Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the games organising committee, criticized Aiyar's comments and called them anti-national.
"No individual can spoil the Games. It is totally irresponsible and ridiculous statement from such a senior person, who has also headed the sports ministry earlier. No Indian national can speak like that,” said Kalmadi.
Sports Minister M S Gill has refused to comment on Aiyar's statements and the Congress has called them personal views.
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